GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

Document Type

Testimony

Publication Date

2026

Status

Working

Abstract

The testimony argues that effective Medicare and Medicaid program integrity requires clear definitions, sustained oversight capacity, and incentives aligned toward prevention rather than retrospective recovery. It stresses that “fraud” is a legal determination and should not be conflated with broader measures of improper payments or documentation deficiencies, because that confusion distorts risk assessments and policy responses. It evaluates the current enforcement ecosystem across CMS, HHS-OIG, DOJ, GAO, and state partners, emphasizing coordination, stable resourcing, and accountability in managed care as central to deterrence. It also highlights how advanced analytics and generative AI can both amplify fraud schemes and strengthen detection, depending on governance, data access, and due process. The recommendations prioritize front-end controls, better data infrastructure, implementation of long-standing oversight recommendations, and preserving effective enforcement and whistleblower mechanisms to reduce losses and improve program performance.

GW Paper Series

2026-15

Included in

Law Commons

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